Russia Premier League Wrap: Zenit sunk at CSKA

Zenit began life without Luciano Spalletti in a 1-0 defeat at CSKA Moscow while Anzhi's unlikely bid for survival gathered pace.

Published

17 March 2014

Spalletti – who led Zenit to two league titles after joining the club in December 2009 – was sacked last week after a goalless draw against strugglers Tom Tomsk.

That saw Zenit drop to second in the table, with Spalletti's departure coming after a run of one win in six league matches.

The club were unable to improve their form as interim head coach Sergei Semak took charge on Saturday.

Former Chelsea and Tottenham coach Andre Villas-Boas has been tipped to take over at Zenit soon, but that may come too late to secure another title if their poor form continues.

CSKA Moscow, who sit fifth, won on Saturday thanks to a first-half goal from Georgi Milanov.

Milanov's goal was his first for CSKA since joining the club last year from Lovech in Bulgaria.

Zenit remain second and are three points behind leaders Lokomotiv Moscow, who drew 0-0 with Amkar Perm.

A week after recording their first league win of the season, Anzhi came from two goals behind to draw 2-2 at third-placed Spartak Moscow on Monday.

Spartak seemed set for victory after Alberto Costa and Jurado scored in the first half.

But Anzhi – who were very unlucky to lose 1-0 at AZ in the first leg of their UEFA Europa League last 16 tie on Thursday, a result that ended an unbeaten run of three – showed great fight to win a point.

Diniyar Bilyaletdinov set up Alexandru Epureanu for a 52nd-minute goal and substitute Serder Serderov grabbed an equaliser in injury-time.